TNI Chief to be Replaced to Improve Reform Agenda

Jakarta (Antara) - A lawmaker said a fit and proper person test is essential for the selection of a nominee for the post of Indonesian military (TNI) chief, and this is part of the agency's ongoing internal reforms. "A fit and proper person test is important for the selection of a new TNI chief as it helps improve the agency's ongoing reforms," noted Mahfud Siddiq, chief of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I for defence and foreign affairs, when opening the commission I's meeting at the parliament building on Wednesday. In the meeting, the plan to conduct a fit and proper person test on Army Chief of Staff Gen. Moeldoko, who has been nominated for the position of TNI chief, was discussed. "The House Commission I highly appreciates TNI's commitment to conduct internal reforms to become a large force, which is in line with the agenda of national democracy and reforms," he said. He went on to say that TNI embarked on the first phase of its programs in 2010 to modernise its main armament systems. "TNI chief Adm. Agus Suhartono has almost completed the first phase of the strategic plan. Now, there is a period of transition to the second phase of the strategic plan. And the period of transition will be led by the new TNI chief," he explained. Hopefully, the new TNI chief will embark on the second phase of the strategic plan in 2015 to further modernise the military's main armament systems, he added.(*) Reported by Jaka Suryo (S012/O. Tamindael)